Treating the severely mentally ill.

• Position: TRENDS AND TRANSITIONS

Under Kendra's law in New York, people with severe psychiatric disorders can get assisted outpatient treatment. Forty-one other states have adopted similar laws. After five years, results from the New York law look promising.

For those in the assisted outpatient program:

87% fewer were incarcerated.

83% fewer were arrested.

77% fewer were hospitalized.

74% fewer were homeless.

55% fewer attempted suicide.

49% fewer abused alcohol.

48% fewer abused drugs.

47% fewer harmed others,

46%...